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Liter Conversion Table
This comprehensive liter conversion table shows how various units relate to liters. Use this reference for quick conversions between liters and other common volume units.
| Conversion | To Unit | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Liters to cubic meters | Cubic Meters | 0.001 |
| Liters to cubic centimeters | Cubic Centimeters | 1000 |
| Liters to cubic millimeters | Cubic Millimeters | 1000000 |
| Liters to milliliters | Milliliters | 1000 |
| Liters to microliters | Microliters | 1000000 |
| Liters to cubic inches | Cubic Inches | 61.0237 |
| Liters to cubic feet | Cubic Feet | 0.0353147 |
| Liters to cubic yards | Cubic Yards | 0.001308 |
| Liters to US gallons | US Gallons | 0.264172 |
| Liters to US quarts | US Quarts | 1.05669 |
| Liters to US pints | US Pints | 2.11338 |
| Liters to US cups | US Cups | 4.22675 |
| Liters to US fluid ounces | US Fluid Ounces | 33.814 |
| Liters to US tablespoons | US Tablespoons | 67.628 |
| Liters to US teaspoons | US Teaspoons | 202.884 |
| Liters to bushels | Bushels | 0.0274962 |
| Liters to pecks | Pecks | 0.109985 |
This liter conversion reference table provides accurate conversion factors for metric units, US customary units, and imperial units. All values are based on internationally recognized standards for maximum precision.
What is a Liter?
The liter (symbol: L) is a unit of volume in the metric system, accepted for use with the International System of Units (SI). Although not an SI unit itself (the SI unit for volume is the cubic meter), the liter is widely used and defined as exactly 1 cubic decimeter (dm³), 1,000 cubic centimeters (cm³), or 0.001 cubic meters (m³).
The liter is commonly used to measure liquid volumes and capacities of containers. Our liter conversion tool helps you easily convert between liters and other units. For example, 1 liter equals approximately 1.057 quarts or 0.264 gallons.
What is the SI of Liter?
While the liter is not an SI base unit, it is accepted for use with the SI system. The SI derived unit for volume is the cubic meter (m³). The liter relates to SI units as follows:
- Cubic meter (m³) = 1,000 liters
- Cubic decimeter (dm³) = 1 liter
- Cubic centimeter (cm³) = 0.001 liters
- Cubic millimeter (mm³) = 0.000001 liters
- Milliliter (mL) = 0.001 liters
- Microliter (µL) = 0.000001 liters
What are Liters Used For?
Liters are used in a wide range of applications across science, cooking, commerce, and everyday life. As a standard metric unit for volume, liters provide a convenient measure for liquid quantities:
Beverages & Food
Measuring liquid ingredients in recipes, beverage packaging, and nutritional information. For example, a standard water bottle contains 0.5 liters (500 mL) of liquid.
Fuel Economy
Measuring fuel consumption in vehicles (liters per 100 kilometers) in most countries outside the US. For example, a compact car might consume 6 liters per 100 km in city driving.
Science & Medicine
Laboratory measurements, pharmaceutical dosages, and medical procedures. For example, a typical blood donation is about 0.45 liters (450 mL).
Household Appliances
Measuring capacities of refrigerators, washing machines, and water heaters. For example, a standard refrigerator has a capacity of about 200 liters.
Etymology and History
The word "liter" comes from the French "litron," which itself derives from the Greek "litra," an ancient unit of weight. The liter was introduced in France in 1795 as part of the metric system and was originally defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water at its maximum density (around 4°C).
This definition was refined in 1901 when the liter was redefined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water at the temperature of its maximum density and under a pressure of 1 atm. In 1964, the liter was redefined again to its current definition: exactly 1 cubic decimeter (dm³), making it exactly 0.001 cubic meters. This evolution reflects the advancement of measurement science and the need for more accurate metric units.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the liter not an SI base unit?
The liter is not an SI base unit because the SI system's base unit for volume is derived from the base unit for length (meter). The cubic meter (m³) is the coherent SI unit for volume. However, the liter is accepted for use with the SI system due to its widespread use and convenient size. The liter is defined as exactly 1 cubic decimeter (dm³), making conversions between liters and SI units straightforward.
How accurate is the liter definition?
The current definition of the liter is extremely precise, being defined as exactly 1 cubic decimeter (dm³) or 0.001 cubic meters (m³). This definition relates the liter directly to the SI base unit of length, making it reproducible with high accuracy. This precision is crucial for scientific research, industrial applications, and international trade.
What's the difference between liter and litre?
There is no difference in meaning. "Liter" is the American English spelling, while "litre" is the British English spelling. Both refer to the same unit of volume. The choice of spelling typically depends on regional preferences and the publication's style guide, but both terms describe identical measurements in the metric system.
How do I convert liters to other units?
Use our liter conversion calculators above, or multiply by the appropriate conversion factor. For example, to convert liters to milliliters, multiply by 1,000; to convert liters to cubic meters, divide by 1,000. For detailed instructions on converting liters to gallons, visit our L to gal converter. Our tool also handles conversions to imperial units like liters to pints and quarts with high precision.
What are common uses for liter conversion?
Liter conversion is essential in cooking (recipe measurements), science (laboratory volumes), commerce (beverage packaging), automotive (fuel economy), and healthcare (medication dosages). Whether calculating how many liters of paint are needed for a room or converting a recipe from cups to liters, our liter converter tool simplifies these everyday tasks.
How does liter conversion differ from other volume units?
As a metric unit accepted with SI, the liter has a simple relationship with SI units (1 L = 1 dm³ = 0.001 m³). This makes conversions within the metric system straightforward compared to converting between unrelated units like gallons and cubic feet. Our liter converter handles both metric and imperial/US customary conversions with equal precision.
Can I convert very small or very large measurements in liters?
Yes, our liter converter handles both extremely small and large measurements with precision. For microscopic volumes, convert microliters to liters (1 µL = 0.000001 L). For large volumes, convert liters to cubic meters (1 m³ = 1,000 L). Our smart rounding feature ensures readable results for all scales.
Is your liter conversion tool free to use?
Yes, our liter conversion calculator is completely free with no registration required. Simply enter your value, select your target unit, and get instant, accurate results. We believe precise measurement conversion should be accessible to everyone, from students learning metric units to professionals working on complex scientific projects.